Govt to Double Down on Rice & Millet Due to Heat Threat to Wheat Yield

The central government has doubled down on paddy purchases to tide over any shortages and has advised the millet-growing states to draw up intricate networks to buy the hardy crops in case of scarcity.

According to procurement strategies put in place, the central government will get by with enough stock of rice and millet to cover the country's food security demands since it is aware of the high likelihood of heatwaves over food-bowl states and their potential impact on the wheat harvest.

The government aims to procure 34.1 million tonnes of wheat at federally determined prices. Even if rising temperatures do have an impact on wheat production, as they did last year, estimates of the yield loss are available, an official stated while requesting anonymity.

According to the official data, the government has bought 71.3 million tonnes of paddy, paying farmers ₹1.4 lakh crore in support prices until 1st March 2023.

The government intends to buy 76.6 million tonnes of summer-sown paddy (equivalent to 51.4 million tonnes of rice). They intend to purchase 15.8 million tonnes of winter-sown paddy (equivalent to 10.6 million tonnes of rice). According to official estimates, the government's paddy stockpile will total 90 million tonnes.

Wheat yields will definitely be decreased by the heatwaves but according to the official, the government's food management plan depends on the precise distribution of rice, wheat, and even millets to meet the nation's food security needs, which include providing free grains to 800 million people.

The state purchases of wheat were abnormally low at 18 million tonnes last year, down nearly 58% from the previous year after a disastrous spell of heatwave cut output by 2.5% to 106 million tonnes.

The government intends to buy 76.6 million tonnes of summer-sown paddy (equivalent to 51.4 million tonnes of rice). They intend to purchase 15.8 million tonnes of winter-sown paddy (equivalent to 10.6 million tonnes of rice). According to official estimates, the government's paddy stockpile will total 90 million tonnes.

Wheat yields will definitely be decreased by the heatwaves but according to the official, the government's food management plan depends on the precise distribution of rice, wheat, and even millets to meet the nation's food security needs, which include providing free grains to 800 million people.

The state purchases of wheat were abnormally low at 18 million tonnes last year, down nearly 58% from the previous year after a disastrous spell of heatwave cut output by 2.5% to 106 million tonnes.